Outsmart overspending by targeting big money leaks first
When Brian realized he was scrambling to make ends meet each month, he pulled up his last three credit card statements. Four figures on takeout. Over $300 on convenience apps. He knew he had to act.
He totaled each category and discovered his two largest spends: $450 on restaurants and $180 on rideshares every month. He vowed to cut 10% from dining out by meal-planning and 20% from rideshares by sharing trips with coworkers. That first month, he saved $56—money he immediately funneled into his emergency fund.
By the third month, Brian had an extra $180 per month. He used it to negotiate a lower gym membership fee, saving another $20. In six months, he freed up over $900, all by zeroing in on two Big Wins instead of obsessing over every latte. His bank balance looked stronger, his stress level dropped, and he felt confident he could take on any budget challenge.
You don’t need a fancy app—just check your last few statements for the three biggest spending areas, slash each by a small, concrete amount, and track the difference each month. You’ll be surprised how fast those savings add up.
What You'll Achieve
You’ll gain clarity on where most of your discretionary dollars go, freeing up significant cash each month without giving up what you love.
Zero in on your top expense drains
Review three months of transactions
Scan your bank and credit card statements for the past 90 days. Note which three categories have the highest spends—dining, rideshares, or subscriptions.
Calculate average monthly cost
For each of the three categories, add up the total and divide by three. That gives you the true average you can’t ignore.
Pick one tweak
Choose one category and reduce it by a concrete amount—say, cut $50 from dining out by ordering water instead of soda or cooking one extra meal at home.
Track the next quarter
Monitor your spending in that category once a month for three months. You’ll see the savings accumulate and feel motivated to tackle the next big leak.
Reflection Questions
- Which three expense categories top your spending list?
- What’s one concrete way to cut 10% from your largest category?
- How would saving that extra cash each month boost your long-term goals?
Personalization Tips
- A teacher spots her $150 streaming subscription and switches to a $8/month ad-supported plan.
- A graphic designer negotiates a $30 discount on her co-working membership.
- A parent cuts $60 a month by carpooling on school runs instead of solo drives.
I Will Teach You to Be Rich: No Guilt. No Excuses. No BS. Just a 6-Week Program That Works
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